According to the Central Department Of Statistics and Information, the unemployment rate among Saudi women was 28.4 percent in 2009, compared to 26.9 percent in 2008.
Culture and tradition sometimes play an important part in rising unemployment among Saudi women, especially when they reject certain jobs such as waitress, hairdresser or cashier.
The Ministry of Labor, Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Human Resources Fund should not be blamed for this problem, says Dr. Aisha Netto, CEO of the Eye-to-Eye optical company and member of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI).
“In Saudi Arabia, most job opportunities are available only for men. This increases the unemployment rate among Saudi women. Officials in governmental bodies are trying their best to create job opportunities for Saudi women. Unfortunately Saudi society still insists on objecting to these opportunities,” said Netto.
“More than 800 careers and jobs could be available for women, but Saudi society objects to them pursuing these opportunities.
“The Ministry of Labor decided to offer additional job opportunities for women. They allowed women to work as cashiers in malls. The implementation of this strategy was very difficult, as these opportunities were rejected by many Saudi families.”
Netto accused Saudis of sticking to old traditions, adding there was only so much government departments could do.
“Hiring women as cashiers in shops means the shop owner has to replace male employees with female staff. Only families will be allowed inside the shop. The shop decoration needs be changed as well,” she said.
“Many young unemployed Saudi and expatriate women have started to look for different ways to work in many fields, mainly jobs that are not registered with the Ministry of Civil Affairs.”
Netto said she has drawn up a list of 822 careers she thinks are suitable for women and intends to give the list to the Ministry of Labor. These include hairdressing, preparing bodies for burial, waitressing, wedding planning and tea making.
“Statistics from the JCCI reveal that 5,000 female students have already qualified as hairdressers, but none have registered to work in this profession,” said Netto.
Limited career opportunities have encouraged many young women to work as sales representatives. They are forced to visit homes, malls and salons to promote their products.
“Companies selling items of interest to women are targeting us, young women in need of jobs, to promote their products by offering us a percentage of the sales we make as commission,” said one female Saudi sales representative, who preferred not to be identified.
“I graduated from university seven years ago with a degree in business administration. I found that working in business is an almost impossible dream,” she added. She confirmed her desire to work as a cashier in a shop, exhibition, or mall.
Private Saudi designer Sarah Ahmad Mazhar found it very difficult to set up her own shop and sell directly to customers. She said that the only way to trade is to sell her products from home or in bazaars.
“It is very difficult to present my collection in malls. Women are not allowed to have their own shops or galleries,” she added.
